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(N0 Model.) R. PI RAILROAD GAR IEURNITURE. N0- 333,853. Patented Jan. 5, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFYCE.

RICHARD F. HANDY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RAiLROAD-GAR FURNITURE.

SPEC'IFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 333,853, dated J'anuary 5,

Application fi1ed September 4, 188-1. Serial N0. 142.171. (N0 model.)

T0 all whom iv' may concern:

Be i' known that I, RICHARD F. HANDY, of New York ciby, in theState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-OarFurniture, 0f which the followfing is a specification.

I provide seat-backs which are reversible and capable of perl'orming all the usual functions, and which contain arts thab may be folded t0 be 0f n0 effect, extended to serve as desks or tables o1 adjusted t10 serve as narrow pockets suf'ficient so contain opera-glasses o1 gloves and other small arbic1es. lhe accornpanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represcnb what I cousider the bes1s means cf carrying out the invention.

Figurel is aperspective view showing one 0f 11116 pieces which I term tables adjusted horizontally am]. a11the others folded out. cf use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing one of the tables inclined upward to serve as a pocket. Figs. 3 anti 4 a1e sections through a porbion 011 a larger sca1e. 'Ihe 1emaining figures show modifications. Figs. 5 and 6 are side elevations. Fig. 7 is aperspective view.

Simi1ar letters of reference indicace corresponding parts in all the figures where they occur.

A is the fixed franning; A, the seat proper, and a the pivots Which engage with the arms B of the back B. This back is somewhab wider than the ordinary back, but serves in the same way, swinging over from one side 110 the obher 0f Ehe seat A, according as the car is 110 traverse in one direction 0r the other. Thema may be the ordinary provisions for locking the arn1s B against Ehe shifbing over of the back by unauthorized persons.

The seat A and theinner face of the back B may be made with hair-cloh, p1ush, 0r any other ordinary 01 suitable material, and paddcd 01 upholstered t0 anythickness required. The back side 0f the back B is peculiarly equipped'.

D and D are hinged pieces of hardwood 0r other suitable material adapted to be folded into recesses b, provided in the seat-back B. I will term these pieces tables. Each is pivoted a1; one edge 110 the back, as indicated ab d, and is 0f a Widt-h matching the adjacent 1ecess b. The edge cf each table opposite its axis d is equipped With a spring-holt, E, having a beveled end adapted 130 engage With a correspondingkeeper on the edge of the recess b, and hold the t-able securely in the closied position when required.

G G are braces turning on pivots 01 axes g, mounted als the mid-heighb of the back B. The under side of each tab1e is deeply recessed, forming a series of ratchet-teeth, d*. \Vhen not required for use, the braces G are sank in suitab1e recesses in the back of B (not shown) and held by any suitable spring-catch. There are tw0 short tables D1 side by side, and two short tables D side by side, each equipped with its proper ratchets and with the corresponding braces, G. This a1lows owo occupants cf thc seab direcbly in the rear 130 each provide himself or herself with a tab1e, 01 either one to havc a tab1e and thc other keep the spacc free, according t0 circumstances 0r inclination. Bach table D is matched by a corresponding table, D, the one being in 'uhe position 130 serve when the car is moving in one direction, and Ehe other when he car is moving in the other direction and the seauback and its attachments have been caused to perforrn a 1itt1e more than a half-revolubion 0n the pivobs d. Only one is requircd co be extended ab any time. A Single pair of the hinged braces G will suffice for the tab1e D and also for bhe corresponding table, D. Each table1nay be sei; 1evel 01 inclined in one direction 01 tl1e other, according as the end 0f the hinged brace shall be adj usted in one 012 another of the several ratchet teebh d*. For somc uses, as for eating, the table would preferably be adjusted level; for other uses, as reading, ib shou1d be Set drooping. Each table D'or D is capable of being adjusted toinc1ine upward fr0m its axis. This condition is indicated in Fig. 2, and is attained by simply elevaning the tab1e to a 1itb1e above Ehe required angle and adj usting ehe hinged braces G 130 that condition, ben on allowing thc table t0 incline outward or sink a 1itt1e more it: will be held by the braces. This condition is importanb, as forming a pocket in which portions 0f clothing 01 other articles 1nay be retained.

Modifioations n1ay be macle in the forms and proportions.

Parts 0f the invention 1nay be used withoub the whole.

I ean make euch table D or D extend the whole widbh of an entire seat-back.

I (ran hold the tables in the closed und open positions by other means.

The points ab which the pivots d are mounted may be varied.

Fig. 5 Shows a modificzrbion in which a Single shelf is employed With braces G 170 engage it; 011 eit-her Side. I have shown one face 0f this shelf paddecl a.nd the ot-her plane.

113 may be preferable so have the table upholstered 011 both Sides, and 130 allow it; t0 be folded either way when ib is 0ut ofuse. I prefer, however, With this form 0f the invention, t0 fold it always one way and '00 npholster only 0ne sidethe sicle which is presented ontward when it is foldecl.

Some 0f bhe aclvantages of the invention may be realized by the employmenb 0f tables 0r corresponding parts conditioned to serve only in themanner shown in Fig. 2 as pockets. When this alone is desired, the parts DD rnay be merely bags 01 frames 0f staut wire or 0th er suitable material, covered or npholsberecl With plush 0r the like. A lighn frame eovered wiuh netting may serve. Such pockets a1e shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

I de not confine the invention t0 .railroadcars. II; 1nay be useful 0n reversible Seats in theaters, churches, and many other sitnations, even private honses, the parts D D" being varied 0r nou 130 conforrn 110 the pecnliaribies of the service. Eaeh may be ofiahe naisure of pocket adapted for holding a table, shelf, or books er parcels.

I can use metal, woocl, leather, rubber, velvet, and various obher materials.

Parts of the invention may be used wibhont; the whole.

I can use the padded shelf with seat-backs, having recesses b 011 seats which are not reversible.

I do not in this patent claim a pocket-reeess in the back of a seat and capable of being closed flush with the back. I propose L0 make filmt the subjeeb of a Separate application.

I am aware of Englisl1 Patent N0. 4,382 0f 1877, in whieh a reversible car-seat back has a Single panel which is hinged 130 open toward bhe eenter. Such eonstrnetion is 11011 songht t0 be covered in this applieation.

I elain1 as my inventionl. A reversible upholsterecl car-seat back having a section of its rear npholst-ered side hinged to form a Shelf, and ad justable supporting means, as Set f0rth.

2. A reversible upholstered car-seat; back having secbions of its rear npholstered Side hinged in different direetions and opening from the center, and a Single ad justable Supporting means, G, as seb forbh.

3. In reversible car-seats, ehe folding tables, as D D hinged in opposibe direcbions, combined winl1 a Single Supporting means, as G, es herein specified.

4. In a reversible sea'n-back, the hinge'cl tables D D, arranged opposite t0 each other, in combination With reversible braces G, adapted 130 support either table as it may come uppermost.

5, In a seat With reversible back, two pairs of hinged tables, D D arranged as shown, locking means, as E, f0r holding each in the closed position, and provisions, as d* f0r allowing either shelf 110 be adjusted leve1 er to incline in either direction, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto sei; my band, ab New York city, New York, this 27th day of August, 1884, in tl1e presence of two subseribing witnesses.

RICHARD F. HANDY.

Witnesses:

M. F. BOYLE, CHARLES R. SEARLE. 

